Page 108 of Sand in My Boots

“My stake in the resort. You allowed Juli to dole out that kind of money. For me.” So hyped up on adrenaline, I’m trying to control my emotions, but I’m doing a piss-poor job. “Why would you allow her to take that gamble?”

He gestures to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit.” When I make no motion to move, he glares harder. “Take a seat, Cameron.”

My eyes blink rapidly at the way he thinks he’s in charge of the situation, how he assumes he has this power over me. There’s an authority struggle between us, neither of us wanting to give in to the other. In the end, I finally concede. Not because he actually holds something over me, but because I need answers. Answers only he can give me.

I hover on the edge of the seat while he leans back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “I didn’t let her do anything. Let’s get that straight right off the bat. She wasn’t backing down on her offer.”

“Sounds like her,” I mumble. She can be stubborn as hell when she wants to be.

“We had a long talk about what she was doing, what she was getting involved with. She signed on the dotted line without a qualm. None whatsoever. She wanted you to have this opportunity.”

I collapse into the back of the chair, my legs flailing out to the side. “Why? We hadn’t spoken for years. Why would she invest that much money in someone who was barely a friend?”

His eyes stare pointedly at me. “I didn’t get into the reasons with her, but knowing where you’re at now, it makes a lot more sense.”

“I want to pay her back.” My mouth speaks the words, choosing for me, even though my brain hasn’t fully decided on anything yet.

“You’ll have to take that up with her. I’m not getting involved. My part is done.”

“You’ll have the lawyers draw up an agreement. Make her sign it, because she’s going to give me a hard time.”

“I’m surprised she told you.”

“She didn’t. I accidentally saw some paperwork. But you should have told me.”

Preston holds up his hands. “Was never going to happen. I wasn’t getting in the middle of it. I told her that, and now I’m telling you the same. It’s her money. She can use it as she sees fit.”

“I should have known it was her!” My voice grows louder, conflicting thoughts getting the better of me.

“You wouldn’t be here if you knew.”

“That’s not for you to decide. I should have been able to make an informed decision with all the facts.” The words taste bitter on my tongue because it’s a lie. Of course, he had the right not to tell me if that was part of her stipulation.

Quiet settles in the office, the only sound my heavy breathing. I’m getting worked up again. I need to do what I said I was going to do—take time to figure this out. How I proceed and move forward with this knowledge.

“I should have known.”

I don’t know if it’s the truth anymore.

In a way, Juli’s right. It changes nothing regarding Whispering Tide. I wanted this position, the share in ownership, I wanted it so badly. I didn’t press Preston about where the money came from. I convinced myself it was him, and I took it with no reservations. Because this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one I couldn’t pass up. And if I’m being honest with myself, one I’m not prepared to give up.

And if that means paying back every cent Juli invested, that’s what I have to do. No matter how long it takes, no matter how much pushback she gives me. I can’t be in debt to her.

With that decision made, I run my fingers through my hair and meet Preston’s eyes. “I have to pay her back. I can’t let her do this for me.”

He doesn’t speak right away, pondering what response to give. “If you found out where the money had come from and it wasn’t her, would you be so adamant about paying it back? About not accepting the gift as it was intended?”

My mouth opens, but no words come out. I want to believe I’d pay it back, no matter who the donor was, but I can’t say that confidently. If it came from some big shot unknown investor, I’d probably take some time to be more appreciative, but the decision to pay it back wouldn’t be on my radar. At least not this strong.

“So ask yourself why you feel the need to pay her back.”

“Things are complicated now,” I spout immediately without thinking. “This will always hang over my head if I move forward with her.”

His left eyebrow peaks. “If? How forward are we talking?” An emotion akin to concern swims in his voice.

Forever.

I’m not stupid enough to say it aloud. One, because he’s her brother. Two, because even if I had thought that yesterday, today it’s less of a possibility.